Rants by Sam

When beginning this project, I wasn't sure how to approach it. I have not done anything with music in regards to composing or writing my own music since middle school, so I was trodding through uncharted territory once more. Going into it, I knew that I wanted to do something with string instruments, as I have always loved string instruments most out of any other type of instrument. They inhabit an ability to portray emotion and tension in a way that I feel is more powerful than any other instrument. I originally wanted to go for an ethereal piece, reminiscent of the background Studio Ghibli soundtracks ( source ). However, as I continued through the composition of the piece, I found myself crafting a soundtrack that seemed to fall more in line with an eerie, almost horror-esc feeling. The beginning of the piece is a duet between an upright bass and a cello, setting up a haunting lower octave range. Then the violin and viola enter, the former playing a range of notes that ...

Due to a series of unfortunate events this prior week, I was unable to attend the artist talk for Stephen Perkins. Instead, I was tasked with talking about something I am passionate about, and I chose to focus on my involvement in Police Explorers. A badge for the explorers program Source I will begin this by explaining just what police explorers are. Police explorers is a program offered by most police departments where officers, community service officers, and other advisors (sometimes detectives, forensics, fireman, or paramedics) take in kids ages 16-21 who are interested in pursuing law enforcement later in life and teach them the basics of what it is like to be an officer, as well as run them through the processes on how to do most of the jobs that the average officer may run into on an average tour of duty. This program can also be run in bigger cities as a way for at risk youth to have something to do that can keep them out of trouble and safe. Some of the basic t...

When I first began thinking about how I could approach this project, I found myself at a loss. “Something is happening” is such a vague statement, and could be encapsulated by anything that crosses your mind if you spent a second connecting dots that would tie it back to the theme, no matter how convoluted or different your idea could be. This resulted in heavy procrastination, which I acknowledge that I am guilty of - but during that time, while trying to figure out what to do, I found myself watching the people around me for inspiration. Whether it be walking around campus, sitting in class, or observing people at sporting events, I found myself fascinated. Life can be very hectic, as it has been for me the last couple of weeks, and I kept trying to connect the turmoil I was feeling with the people around me, trying to connect dots that weren’t there. A thought then clicked into place, a single word flashing across my mind. Sonder  - The realization that each and every...